Ice Cream Social: The Struggle for the Soul of Ben & Jerry's

For more than three decades, Ben and Jerry s has been publically committed to an insanely ambitious three-part mission: not just making the world s best ice cream, but also supporting progressive causes and sharing their success with all of their stakeholders, a concept they call linked prosperity. Living up to these beliefs is fun when you re doing it right, but it s not easy.§This is the first book to tell the full, inside story of the inspiring rise, tragic mistakes, devastating fall, determined recovery, and ongoing renewal of one of the most iconic mission-driven companies in the world. No previous book has focused so intently on the challenges presented by staying true to the mission as the business grew. No other book has explained how the company came to be sold to Unilever, one of the world s biggest corporations. And none have described the unprecedented contract Ben & Jerry s negotiated with Unilever that in the end allowed them to pursue their mission on a much larger stage. Brad Edmondson writes with a journalist s eye for telling details, dramatic moments, and memorable characters. This book offers eye-opening lessons about how socially conscious companies succeed, fail, and keep striving for greatness. It s a funny, sad, surprising, and ultimately hopeful story.